St Mary’s cap memorable year with club honour

ST MARY’S basketball club from Castleisland have won Basketball Ireland’s Club of the Year award to crown what has been a memorable season which saw them claim the U18 Women’s National Cup, while reaching the semi-finals of the Senior Women’s Cup.

On top of this, they reached the final of the Senior Men’s Cup. A busy year also saw them host the National Cup semi finals (Men’s U18, Men’s U20 & Senior Men’s).

The present club was founded in the late 1950s and from humble beginnings it has gone from strength to strength. There currently are 17 Basketball Ireland teams in the club – nine male and eight female.

A membership of is comprised of 135 males and 125 females – made up of players, club officials and volunteers. Five years ago the club had just 195 members in total. Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh from Cork will be presented with the Schools Award when officials from Basketball Ireland travel to the school on Monday. They have been progressing through all the levels over the past number of years and next year they will be playing at A level.

Playing in one of the toughest regions in the country, coaches Finian O’Driscoll and Mary Walsh have managed to inspire all age groups to All-Ireland play-offs and finals over the past two years.

At every final this year they have represented their school with distinction and with only two members of staff driving these teams on a voluntary basis from first year to U19 it’s clear why they have been voted by the public as recipients of this award.

The Tom Collins Award also goes to Cork with Dominic Foster being recognised for his contribution to basketball in the region. He is the current regional organiser for Girls Schools basketball in Cork and has been involved in basketball not just in Cork but throughout the country at all levels right up to and including the international level.

Michael Evans from Waterford, winner of the President’s Award, has given a lifetime of service to basketball – coaching teams right up to the SuperLeague title.

He coached the AOL Broadband men’s team in last season’s Division One campaign. He formerly coached Waterford Crystal to Superleague success and is a former Coach of the Year award winner. He is also heavily involved in Colleges basketball in his role at WIT. He is the current chairman of the National Coaching Committee.

The National League Award Winners were revealed at the National League finals in Letterkenny at the end of March. The winners will receive their awards during one of Ireland’s upcoming international days at the National Basketball Arena in August.

In a new initiative a volunteer from each region has been recognised for their commitment throughout the season.